Cole says once ground breaks on the National Bio and Agro Defense Facility in Manhattan, 20 minutes away, work will also start in Wamego.

“If we’re going to be a home for any animal science related business or for industrial application we’re going to have to have some sites,” Cole says.

There’s no question the city will see a boost in business, Cole adds.

“Pharmaceutical companies, animal research companies are going to want to have a presence nearby,” he says.

And the area has already seen it. MS Biotec is based out of Denver, it’s been in Wamego for several years to be involved with NBAF.

“We produce a bacteria, manufacture and produce an organism at our facility that is used for helping cattle and dairy cows manage their lactic acid level,” says CEO Michael Lipfield.

It’s the only commercially-sold product of its kind in the world – and Lipfield says Wamego is the place for it.

“The Wamego community has embraced us, they’ve been very helpful, it draws a great talent pool of employment for us with the university and I think NBAF will help us on that side as well,” Lipfield says.

“People like our vibrant community, they like the smaller schools, we have an award winning school district, we have a lot of things to be proud about in Wamego,” says real estate broker Cheri Pugh.

One company has made the jump and Cole says other will follow suit after that first sign of promise.